New England Moves Into Last Playoff Spot In The East

The New England Revolution have jumped ahead of Houston into the fifth playoff spot in the east after a come-from-behind 2-1 against D.C. United at RFK Stadium tonight.

Yes that is not a typo. The Rev’s won for the first time this season when trailing at half-time!

It did not look like a promising night for New England when D.C. United took a rare lead on Silva’s eighth-minute goal. Anther long ball split the New England central defenders and Silva turned McCarthy 25 yards from goal before shooting on goal. The shot bounced under the outstretched arms of a diving Bobby Shuttleworth, and will not be part of Shuttleworth’s highlight real this season.

It took until the 36th minute before the Revs had their first clear chance. Imbongo got around D.C. defender Dejan Jakovic and his pass found an unmarked Kelyn Rowe 10 yards from goal. Bur the midfielder hit United goalkeeper Joe Willis with his shot, rather than the gaping net, and the chance went begging.

In the second half, New England finally were able to convert their chances. First, Tierney’s terrific cross evaded everyone and Imbongo was able to tap the the ball into the empty net to make it 1-1.

Then in the 63rd minute, New England went ahead when Sene’s shot came crashing back of the post and Diego Fagundez was the only player who followed up on either team and easily headed in the rebound past a prone Willis.

Neither team threatened for the next 19 minutes before Silva and Lionard Pajoy – who came on in the 79th minute – connected in the 82nd minute. Pajoy broke through the backline and had a one-on-one opportunity against Shuttleworth, but the goalkeeper made a kick-save to preserve the Revs’ lead late.

Overall the Revs (8-7-6, 30 points) did enough to win their second on a row against an injury-riddled D.C. lineup, but did enough to win their second in a row. With Toronto FC up next at Gillette Stadium on Saturday, the Revs have a very realistic chance of extending their winning streak to three games.